OSU taps Highway Patrol director

Ohio State has a new media-relations director: Gary Lewis of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Lewis will begin his new role on July 1 and earn $117,000 a year. He replaces Jim Lynch who left
Ohio State late last year to advise the director of the Office of Budget and Management.

A former lieutenant commander, Lewis worked for the Ohio State Highway Patrol for the past 21
years and has 13 years experience in communications.

"Gary has a proven track record of developing and maintaining media relationships at the local,
state, and national levels and has national recognition for his media management related to crisis
communications" said Gayle Saunders, OSU's assistant vice president of media and public relations,
in an email this morning to staff.

He was also appointed by Ohio's Lt. Governor to serve on the board of the Ohio Emergency Medical
Services and teaches at ITT Technical Institute in Columbus.

His experience as a team leader and expertise as a spokesperson, along with his media coaching
skills and collaborative relationships with media across this region and Ohio will support the
ongoing work of University Communications.